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Professor, Gakushuin University
Department of Economics
Near to the beauty of nature, quiet poetry is spoken. So says a Chinese poem from the Hakurakuten. To translate more freely:from time to time nature and truth beckon one's thoughts, one speaks poetry in a soft voice, and learns ancient lessons with an open heart. Without doubt, life should have times of quiet poetry. Holding this attitude to be essential, Academyhills strengthens and encourages people to self-actualize through a hands-on, creative, cutting-edge learning process. |
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Architect; President Emeritus, Japan Federation of Architects & Building Engineers Associations
If you asked me why people gather at Academy hills, I would say that it is because they seek a revolution in education, one that leads us towards the future. All over the world today, living environments are undergoing a great shift towards the Japanese system. To put it another way, it is a cycle of renewal, rather than just quickly throwing buildings together and leaving them. As a response to a growing variety of lifestyles, the creation of culture is being sought both historically and regionally. A sustainable relationship between manmade and natural environments must be mankind's focus, and Japan could very well contribute a breakthrough in that field. However, it has finally become apparent that we must give up our naive assumption that we can humanize the manmade environment and instead concentrate on creating long-term value. The system of specialized education that has been routine up until now will not be able to assimilate these new ideas and discussions. The privilege of leading this environmental revolution falls on the capable shoulders of Academyhills. I look forward to the enlightment of new, talented people and a renaissance of cities. |
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Professor Emeritus, Bunka Women's University / Bunka Fashion College
Within Academyhills' educational system, information and research are genuine and unrestricted. The founder, Taikichiro Mori, envisaged a learning process that would continue throughout one's life, regardless of age, gender, or experience-and it is just that sort of ongoing education that is necessary in the 21st century. Therefore, through the support and cooperation of many people, this school was founded in September of 1988; with continued support, we will continue to grow in the future. |
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Professor Emeritus, Waseda University
In the second half of the 20th century, the Japanese worked like ants, frantically creating the cities that we have today. Tokyo expanded boundlessly, creating commutes that test the limits of endurance, fractured families, a lifestyle of constant hurry, and the bubble economy. Today, urban lifestyles are changing; in Tokyo, people are seeking residences downtown, and conversation turns to revitalizing the city center. Roppongi Academyhills' practices are based on these concepts of remaking the city center. The city planning discussion is based on a process that includes a wide variety of ideas about new lifestyles. Academyhills, with its unique volume of global cultural exchange, is creating a new, more leisurely cultural heart of Tokyo. |
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Dean Emeritus, University of California, Berkeley
Academyhills is a unique experiment in education,a model for the emerging educational institutions of the future. It is designed to meet the needs of the new generation of scholar-professionals as they continue to learn and to develop new skills. Academyhills cuts across many traditional boundaries as it brings together a number of distinguished universities, a group of leading businesses, professional organizations and government agencies and an outstanding group of students ranging from undergraduates through graduate students and on to advanced professionals. All this is done in an urban setting in the center of ambition and invention; exploring and using the latest in communications and information technology to reach out across the World-Wide Web and become a pioneer "university without walls." For those of us who are interested in educating design, building and planning professionals as well as those who will play important roles in our cities, it is a pleasure to observe and a great opportunity to collaborate with. |
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